In this episode of The Best Practices Show, Kirk and the ACT Dental team speak to Dr. Lee Brady about the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic as well as tips for prioritizing what really counts in your practice.

The team is thankful to have Dr. Brady on the program to share her insights. She offers advice on a range of topics, including how to keep your patients’ health a priority in the pandemic, and how to choose the right material for a variety of reconstruction types. Wryly, she suggests that technicians often know more about materials than dentists do, and it wouldn’t hurt dentist or patients to refer to technicians for advice on appropriate material choices.

Despite the challenges of "pandemic dentistry" and the myriad of material options, Dr. Brady succinctly communicates that ultimately she is a healthcare provider first. She shares a brief story of a patient who displayed a fever at her appointment and how the team was able to get her to urgent care to address any more immediate medical needs. It’s not that your job as a dentist isn’t important, but that your role as a healthcare provider is number one. Keep that in the back of your mind and you’ll have no problem being successful.

Main Takeaways:

What is it going to look like when we pick the pieces back up?

You are the most critical factor in the success of your practice.

It’s not about the dentistry, it’s about a standard of care.

Recommend treatment with the highest benefit profile versus the lowest risk profile.

Technicians sometimes know way more about materials than dentists do.

There are no bad materials. We need to learn how to use them.

For veneers, choose material with the closest light properties to real enamel.

We need to be paying attention to our practices to be smart fiscally.

Quotes:

“One of the gifts of the Pankey Institute is community.” (6:00)

“I knew on Sunday that I was going to have to completely change my practice on Monday.” (10:40)

“Bread and butter dentistry is going to be our backbone.” (13:30)

“For me, the backbone of my practice has always been day-to-day operative dentistry.” (18:35)

“Make sure to fully explain to your patient all the risks involved with a compromise.” (26:45)

“The rule of thumb about zirconia is that the prettier it is, the weaker it is.” (30:15)

“We have to give the laboratory the appropriate amount of space.” (35:00)

“Be disappointed, but then get over it. And find out what the solution is.” (36:50)

“When materials break, there are lots of different conversations to have.” (45:40)

“I am 51% healthcare—I am always a healthcare professional.” (51:00)

Snippets:

Lee introduces herself. (5:30–7:30)

Explaining the standard of care to your patients. (25:00–27:00)

Zirconia versus lithium disilicates. (29:00–31:30)

Connect with Lee Ann:

Email her at

Pankey.org

Sign up for her webinar at Pankeygram.org

Restorativenation.com

Search on YouTube

Lee Ann Brady on Pinterest for her favorite dental materials